The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-02-10
washington letter.

SiSo9 40 NDit Is away VhNoO N"go 40
though it realized the shortness Of its
life and the necessity OF accomplish
ing much before the fourth OF March.
Various questions have been discussed
in both the Senate and House during
the past week, some important meas
ures have been passed. and others
have become laws by receiving the
Presidents signature
The Beck bill as passed makes it un-
lawful for any Senator or Representa-
tive to accept employment as attor-
ney-at-law or payment for services of
any kind in opposition to the United
States, in any case in which its inter-
ests may be concerned. Any mem
bers OF either house or Congress who
violates the provisions of this act may
be punished by imprisonment not ex-
ceeding one year or by fine not exceed
ing $500, or by both.
Mr.. Evarts went so far as to say that
those lawyers in the Senate who would
vote for such bill would make the
imputation against their profession
that lawyers were class to be taken
out from the rest OF the community,
for fear they might be drawn over the
line OF their duty. The right of citi-
zens was to be invaded because hon
est employment might lead to crimi.
nality.
The willy Senator wanted to know
ii the apothecary shops should be sup
pressed because poison was dealt out
from it, and thought, in order to be
consistent, they should make a law
forbiding members OF Congress from
taking any fee. AS to the talk about
serving two masters he asked wheth-
er Senators were doing that when, as
lawyers, they served the dignity and
advantage OF the law and the protec-
, ton OF the community, and when, as
Senators, they did their duty under
o their obligations. All of Mr. Evarts
logic was lost upon the Senate how
o ever, and refused by vote of nearly
three to one
The Presidents approval Of the In
ter-State Commerce was in full ac-
cord with the opinion OF Attorney
- General Garland, and with the views
Of the entire Cabinet. The next ques.
ton is, who will get to serve their
country as commissioners under the
new law and against railroad corpor.
atoms. Among two or three scores OIL
candidates, Col. Morrison is oftenest
mentioned as one of the number
which will be appointed. He is quot
ed as saying lately that it is the only
position under the Government which
he desires.
Representative Reagan, who vii
D. come to the United States Senate mex
Il year as the successor of Mr.. Maxy, o
Texas, has long been identified will
L the Interstate Commerce bill. H,
has commended for this legislation 70
many years, and his election may b,
accepted as an Endorsement of hi
course. Judge Reagan, as the Sena
u tor elect is called, is man OF indeiat
igable industry, and assidous repre-
&c sentative OF the interests of his con
90 stituents, and is sure to make goo,
record in the Senate He is wei
70 known in Washington, having sery
|, ed four years in Congress before tn
l. war, and nearly twelve years sine
a the war. During the war he wa
j Postmaster-General Of the Southern
=. Confederacy.
o. The question Of temperance ha
BE- been creditably solved for herself b
\ the mistress of the White House
- When the Diplomatic Corps sat dow
i to the Presidents dinner Of state a fe,
~ evenings ago, eight wine-glasses stoo
90 at every plate but that of Mrs, Clevt
=, land she took only water This wa
~ not criticism OF the taste of he
~ guests, but only an assertion of he
a own preference 1t defined her pc
~ sonal status, and it discharged her o
~, fetal duty
Q 1t was fine reply that Ex-Lieu
- Gov Brockmeior of Missouri mad
" when asked why he did not call 0
IT. President Cleveland. Said he, | don
Os. think there is buster man in til
O6 country than the President, and as h
has little enough time of his own,
don't think have a right to infring
on it, | have no personal acquain
tie ance with him, and Of course he ca
an have no desire to see me. Ny Coz
Ill gresham proposed to take me to ca
to on him, but | didn't care to take II
he half an hour of his time in the da
on that would have to be atoned for {
ill night. II more OF the prominent me
ay who visited Washington so fully reali
Try ed the value of the Presidents time,
at would be gratefully appreciated b
ID him.
IN,